USPTO Patents Application 10074137

CONTROL APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD USING MOBILE COMMUNICATION
TERMINAL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a control apparatus and
control method using mobile communication terminal for
controlling a geune machine or the like at an amusement place.

2. Description of the Related Art

When a person plays a game machine at an amusement place
or the like, conventionally, he must put a coin into a slot in
the game machine. If he wants to play the game with such a
machine several times, he needs several coins. It is worrisome
that he always carry plural coins and it is also worrisome that
he must exchange bill to coins with an exchanger when he wants
to play the game.

According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open NO.
H5- 146555 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-
171240 disclosed recently, people can play the game with a
pre-paid card, member's card or credit card even if he has no
coin.

In recent years, the mobile communication means such as
the mobile phone and the Internet have been developed rapidly
and generality of those communication means has been demanded
to be intensified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a control
apparatus and a control method using the mobile communication
terminal, which allows a play to be enjoyed fully under an easy

control .

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present
Invention provides a control apparatus comprising: a play
portion enabling a play according to personal Information; an
Input portion for Inputting personal Information from a mobile
communication terminal; and a control portion which makes a call
to an accounting center based on the Input of personal
Information through the mobile communication terminal and
enables the play by the play portion based on the call, wherein
the accounting center bills corresponding to the play.

A second aspect of the present Invention provides a
control apparatus comprising: a play portion which stores play
Information and enables a play according to personal
Information; an Input portion for Inputting personal
Information from a mobile communication terminal; and a control
portion which makes a call to an Information service center
based on the Input of personal Information through the mobile
communication terminal and enables the play by the play portion
based on the call, wherein the Information service center bills
corresponding to the play.

A third aspect of the present Invention provides a control
apparatus using the mobile communication terminal according to
the second aspect, wherein the Information service center
stores newly published play Information and dispatches the
newly published Information corresponding to the call and the
control portion receives the newly published Information and
outputs the newly published Information prior to the play.

A fourth aspect of the present Invention provides a
control apparatus comprising: an amusement place allowing an
entry according to personal Information; an input portion for
inputting personal information from a mobile communication

terminal; and a control portion which makes a call to an
information service center based on the input of personal
information through the mobile communication terminal and
allows an entry into the amusement place based on the call,
wherein the information service center bills corresponding to
the entry.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a control
apparatus comprising: a release portion capable of releasing
charged play pieces based on personal information; an input
portion for inputting personal information from a mobile
communication terminal; and a control portion which makes a call
to an information service center based on the input of personal
information through said mobile communication terminal and
allows the release by the release portion based on the call,
wherein the information service center bills corresponding to
the release.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a control
apparatus using the mobile communication terminal according to
any one of the second to fifth aspect further comprising: an
identification number input portion for inputting an
identification number as personal information, wherein the
control portion makes a call to the information service center
if the inputted identification number coincides with personal
information .

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a
control method comprising: a play portion which stores play
information and enables a play according to personal
information; an input portion for inputting personal
information from a mobile communication terminal; and a control
portion which makes a call to an information service center
based on the input of personal information through the mobile

communication terminal and enables the play by the play portion
based on the call, wherein the information service center bills
corresponding to the play.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides a
control apparatus comprising: a play portion enabling a play
according to personal information; an input portion for
inputting personal information from a mobile communication
terminal which can be connected to the Internet; and
a control portion which makes a call to an Internet service
provider based on an input of personal information through the
mobile communication terminal and allows a play by the play
portion based on the call, wherein the Internet service provider
bills corresponding to the play.

A ninth aspect of the present invention provides a control
apparatus further comprising: an information terminal unit
which makes a call to an Internet service provider based on an
input of personal information from the mobile communication
terminal and enables operation of an Internet information based
on the call, wherein the Internet service provider bills
corresponding to the operation.

A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a control
apparatus using the mobile communication terminal according to
any one of the first to fifth, eighth, ninth aspect wherein the
mobile communication terminal makes the input by radio.

According to the first aspect of the invention, if the
player inputs his personal information into the input portion
from the mobile communication terminal, the control portion
makes a call to the accounting center according to an input of
the personal information through the mobile communication
terminal and enables a play in the play portion based on that
call. Therefore, the player can play the geune by the play

portion only by operating the mobile coiranunication terminal and
is released from a worry of using coins, so that he can enjoy
the game fully. Further, the accounting center can bill
corresponding to the play. Additionally, freedom of setting
for accounting can be intensified.

According to the second aspect of the invention, if the
player inputs his personal information into the input portion
from the mobile communication terminal, the control portion
makes a call to the information service center according to an
input of the personal information through the mobile
cpmmunication terminal and enables a play in the play portion
based on that call. Therefore, the player can play the game
by the play portion only by operating the mobile communication
terminal and is released from a worry of using coins, so that
he can enjoy the game fully. Further, the information service
center can bill corresponding to the play. Additionally,
freedom of setting for billing can be intensified.

According to the third aspect, in addition to an effect
of the second aspect, the information service center transmits
newly published game information corresponding to the call and
the control portion receives the newly published information
and outputs it before the play is started, so as to supply the
player with such newly published game information.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, if the
player inputs his personal information into the input portion
from the mobile communication terminal, the control portion
makes a call to the information service center according to an
input of the personal information through the mobile
communication terminal and allows an entry into the amusement
place based on that call. Therefore, the player can enter the
cimusement place only by operating the mobile communication

terminal. Further, the information service center can bill
corresponding to the entry. Additionally, freedom of setting
for billing can be intensified.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, if the
player inputs his personal information into the input portion
from the mobile communication terminal, the control portion
makes a call to the information service center according to an
input of the personal information through the mobile
communication terminal and enables release of the release
portion based on that call. Therefore, the player can receive
the release of the charged play objects only by operating the
mobile communication terminal. Further, the information
service center can bill corresponding to the release of the
charged play objects. Additionally, freedom of setting for
billing can be intensified.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention,
in addition to the effects of any one of the second to fifth
aspects, because the identification number is inputted as the
personal information, other persons than owner of the mobile
communication terminal cannot use the mobile communication
terminal, so that a more proper billing can be made.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, if the
player inputs his personal information into the input portion
from the mobile communication terminal, the control portion
makes a call to the information service center according to an
input of the personal information through the mobile
communication terminal and enables a play in the play portion
based on that call. Therefore, the player can play the game
by the play portion only by operating the mobile communication
terminal and is released from a worry of using coins, so that
he can enjoy the game fully. Further, the information service

center can bill corresponding to the play. Additionally,
freedom of setting for billing can be intensified.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, if
personal information is inputted to the input portion from the
mobile communication terminal which can be connected to the
Internet, the control portion makes a call to an Internet
service provider according to an input of the personal
information through the mobile communication terminal and
enables a play in the play portion based on that call . Therefore ,
the player can play the game by the play portion only by operating
the mobile communication terminal and is released from a worry
of using coins, so that he can enjoy the geune fully. Further,
the Internet service provider can bill corresponding to the play.
Additionally, freedom of setting for billing can be
intensified.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, if
personal information is inputted to the input portion from the
mobile communication terminal, the information terminal unit
makes a call to an Internet service provider according to an
input of the personal information through the mobile
communication terminal and enables the Internet information to
be operated based on that call. Therefore, the player can
operate the Internet information only by operating the mobile
communication terminal and is released from a worry of using
coins, so that he can enjoy the game fully. Further, the
Internet service provider can bill corresponding to the
operation of the Internet information. Additionally, freedom
of setting for billing can be intensified.

According to the tenth aspect, in addition to the effects
of any one of the first to fifth, eighth and ninth aspect of
the present invention, the input of the personal information

into the input portion can be carried out by radio through the
mobile communication terminal so that the necessary operation
can be carried out more easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a block diagram according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a circuit structure diagram of a game start
approval switch of the first embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a control portion of the first
embodiment ;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram whose part is omitted according
to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram according to a third embodiment
of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a desktop personal computer
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a laptop computer according
to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a block diagram according to a fifth embodiment
of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(First embodiment)

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a control apparatus using
a mobile communication terminal according to the first
embodiment of the present invention. This control apparatus
using the mobile communication terminal comprises a play
portion 1, an input portion 3 and a control portion 5. The play
portion 1 comprises a game board 9 within its housing 7 for
storing games as play information. The housing 7 comprises a

8

screen 11 for outputting a memorized game, so that a player can
enjoy the game with an operation knob 13 or the like while
watching the screen 11.

The housing 7 of the play portion 1 has coin slots 15,
17. The coin slot 15 Is a slot for putting for example, 100 -yen
coin and by putting a 100-yen coin Into the slot, game of unit
time, for example, a time can be enjoyed. The coin slot 17 Is
a slot for putting for example, 500 -yen coin and by putting a
500 -yen coin, for example, the game can be enjoyed five times.
Start of this game Is executed under control of a game credit
switch, which will be described later.

The housing 7 of the play portion 1 has a numeric pad 20
as an Identification number Input portion. An Identification
number Inputted through the numeric pad 20 Is Inputted to the
control portion 5. Input of the Identification number can be
executed through a mobile communication terminal 21. In this
case, the numeric pad 20 Is not necessary and the mobile
communication terminal 21 serves as an Identification number
Input portion.

The Input portion 3 Is used for Inputting personal
information through the mobile communication terminal 21 and
comprised of a holder 19 fixed to the housing 7. The holder
19 has a connection port on its top portion and plural kinds
of connectors are disposed within the connection port so as to
correspond to various kinds of the mobile phone. Personal
Handyphone System (PHS) , and the like. Therefore, any kind of
the mobile communication terminals 21 is acceptable.

A status indicating portion 23 is provided in a top portion
of the front face of the holder 19 and game start approval buttons
25, 27 are provided in its lower portion. One game start
approval button 25 corresponds to the coin slot 15 and approves

a single game. The other game start approval button 27
corresponds to the coin slot 17 and approves for example
five- time games. If people want to play games twice, he can
do it by pressing the game start approval button 25 after a game
is finished. The same thing can be said of three times or four
times of the game. If he wants to play the game six times, he
can do it by pressing the game start approval button 25 after
the five-time games started with the game start approval button
27 are finished, so that he can play the games totaling six times .
The same thing can be said if he wants to play the game seven
times. Meanwhile, other kinds or combination of the buttons
may be employed.

The control portion 5 is composed of a MPU board and reads
an subscriber number as personal information from the mobile
communication terminal 21 connected to the input portion 3.
Then, it makes a call to information service center 28 and
enables playing a game in the play portion 1 by at least a unit
time . Reading of the subscriber number will be described later .

The information service center 28 receives a number
corresponding to at least the aforementioned unit times through
a mobile phone network 29 as mobile communication network and
through telephone network 31 as stationary communication
network .

This embodiment contains, for example, a number
corresponding to a single game and a number corresponding to
five-time games. When the number corresponding to the single
gcune is received, a fee of single- time game is billed and when
the number corresponding to five -time games is received, a fee
of the five- time game is billed. Therefore, the information
service center serves as an accounting center according to this
embodiment .

10

Fig. 2 shows a circuit configuration of game credit
switches 33, 35. The game credit switch 33 is a mechanical
switch, which if a 100 -yen coin is put into the coin slot 15,
is turned on a single time. If a 500-yen coin is put into the
coin slot 17, this switch is turned on again after a first game
is finished, so that a next geune is started and the switch is
turned on successively five times in total.

The game credit switch 35 is composed of a transistor and
its gate is connected to the aforementioned MPU board 5.
Therefore, when the game start approval button 25 is pressed,
a signal is transmitted from the MPU board 5 to the game credit
switch 35 a single time, so that the game credit switch 35 is
powered on thereby allowing to execute a single game. Further,
if the game start approval button 27 is pressed, signals are
transmitted five times successively from the MPU board 5,
thereby allowing to execute the game five times.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram for subscriber number reading
in the control portion 5. The control portion 5 comprises a
telephone number input portion 37, a retrieval portion 39, an
output portion 41, information data 43 and an updating portion
45.

The information data 43 stores an subscriber number,
address and name of a subscriber of the mobile communication
terminal 21. The information data 43 can be updated with
information data from a database 47 by the updating portion 45.
The database 47 is possessed by a provider of the mobile
communication network 29 and if a new person subscribes or other
person cancels his subscription contract, the corresponding
information is always stored in the database 47. Therefore,
the information data 43 can always possess updated information
data.

First, if a person inserts his mobile communication
terminal 21 into the connection port of the holder 19 at an
amusement place as shown in Figs. 1, 3, serial communication
is carried out with the control portion 5 so as to read his
subscriber number and the like. That is, personal information
is inputted to the input portion 3.

Further in detail , as shown in Fig. 3 , the telephone number
input portion 37 acquires a subscriber number from the holder
19 (mobile phone) and the acquired number is inputted to the
retrieval portion 39. The retrieval portion 39 retrieves
information of the information data 43 according to the acquired
subscriber number and if there is data corresponding to the
subscriber number, outputs it to the output portion 41.

The output portion 41 outputs to the status indicating
portion 23 of the holder 19 and the status indicating portion
23 indicates a subscriber number, address and ncune. The game
player recognizes this status Indicating portion 23.

Here , a voice generating portion outputs a message saying ,
for example, "Enter your identification number" under a control
of the control portion 5. Then, the game player inputs his
identification number through the numeric pad 20 . The inputted
identification number is recognized according to information
from the information data 43 by the control portion 5. If this
identification number is different from a number of a owner of
the mobile communication terminal 21, the voice generating
portion outputs a message saying, for example, "A wrong number
is entered". Therefore, the game player can input a proper
identification number.

Next , if the game start approval button 25 or 27 is pressed,
if the identification number is right, the control portion 5
makes a call corresponding to the approval button 25 or 27.

Further, the game credit switch 35 is turned on as shown in Fig.
2, so that a game is outputted to the screen 11 and the game
player can play the game with the operation knob 13.

By receiving a number corresponding to the aforementioned
call, the information service center 28 bills corresponding to
execution times of the game. A fee is collected by an
enterpriser of the telephone network 31 instead and an amount
minus communication fee and agent fee is paid to the information
service center 28. Then, a controller of the play portion 1
can receive an amount minus commission of the information
service center 28 therefrom. The player can enjoy a game easily
without using coins, pre-paid card or credit card and the like.

The information service center 28 stores game information,
for example, newly published game information and transmits the
newly published game information corresponding to the call.
The MPU board of the control portion 5 receives for example,
the newly published game information and outputs it on the
screen 11 before the game is started. Therefore, the player
can be notified of the newly published game information
immediately. This newly published game information may be so
constructed to be displayed at any timing before or after the
game start approval button 25 or 27 is pressed.

It is permissible to so construct that the identification
number does not have to be inputted by omitting the numeric pad
20 which is the identification number input portion. Although
according to the above -described embodiment, billing is made
depending on a game frequency while the fee of a game is specified,
it is permissible to so construct that billing is made depending
on time for using the play portion 1. That is, freedom of
billing setting can be intensified.

Some amusement place employs a system in which in a

specified time interval, a person pays an entrance fee when he
enters there and he can play any game machine without charge.
The above -described control apparatus using the mobile
communication terminal can be applied to such a system.

If explaining with the reference numerals although not
shown, the amusement place is provided with a gate or the like
at an entrance, which allows a person to enter at least unit
times by inputting his personal information. Then, like
described above, the input portion 3, to which the mobile
communication terminal 21 is connected detachably, is provided
on the gate of the amusement place. Consequently, a subscriber
number, which is personal information, is read from the mobile
communication terminal 21 connected to the input portion 3 and
when the identification number is inputted properly, the
approval button is pressed so as to make a call to the information
service center 28. As a result, entrance of the person into
the amusement place for the unit times is allowed by the control
portion 5 .

The player can enjoy any game machine freely although
within a limited time. The information service center 28
receives a number corresponding to at least the unit times
through the mobile phone network 29 and the telephone network
31 so that it can bill depending on the entrance of that player.
The fee collection system is the same as described before.

Although according to this embodiment, a fee per an
entrance is specified and billing is made depending on entrance
frequency, it is permissible to so construct that billing is
made depending on time consumed by the player at the cimusement
place.

(Second embodiment)

14

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
Like reference numerals are attached to components
corresponding to the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, the present Invention is
applied to medal control of a medal play machine as a control
for charged play pieces. According to this embodiment, the
control apparatus comprises a discharging portion49, an input
portion 3 and a control portion 5.

The aforementioned release portion 49 includes a medal
storage portion 51, a count discharging mechanism 53 and a
release port 55. The medal storage portion 51 arranges and
stores received medals. The count discharging mechanism 53
discharges a specified number of medals according to an
instruction from the control portion 5 and inputs the number
of discharged medals into the control portion 5. The release
port 55 releases medals 57 discharged from the count discharging
mechanism 53. That is, the count discharging mechanism 53
counts a discharging number for unit times, for example, 100
medals and according to a signal from the control portion 5,
the release portion 49 releases medals received from the medal
storage portion 51.

The structures of the input portion 3 and the control
portion 5 are substantially the same as the first embodiment.
According to this embodiment, the approval button 25 of the
input portion 3 approves release of medals for a single time
and the approval button 27 approves release of medals for five
times. Therefore, when the approval button 25 is pressed, a
quantity of medals released for a single time, for example, 100
medals, are released from the release port 55. When the
approval button 27 is pressed, a quantity of medals for five
times, for example, 500 medals are released from the release

15

port .

Although, the other structure is the same as the first
embodiment. The identification number input portion may be
provided like the first embodiment or may be omitted.

Therefore, if the mobile communication terminal 21 is
connected to the input portion 3, the control portion 5 reads
a subscriber number as personal information. If the inputted
identification number is right when the approval button 25 or
27 is pressed, the control portion 5 makes a call to the
information service center 28 so that a predetermined number
of medals corresponding to the button 25, 27 can be obtained
from the release port 55.

The information service center 28 receives a number
corresponding to a single time ordered when the button 25 is
pressed or five times ordered when the button 27 is pressed
through the mobile phone network 29 and the telephone network
31 and bill corresponding to the number of released medals from
the release portion 49. The fee collection system is the same
as the first embodiment. Therefore, the player can obtains a
necessary number of the medals 57 without using coins, pre-
paid card or the like.

A charged play object to which this embodiment is applied
can be applied to Pachinko (pinball) or the like of Pachinko
gcime machine (pinball game machine) as well as the medals of
the medal play machine.

(Third embodiment)

Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
Like reference nximerals are attached to components
corresponding to the first embodiment.

Although the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 employs the

16

Information service center 28, this embodiment uses an Internet
service provider 61 as shown in Fig. 5.

That is, a telephone network 31 is connected to the
Internet service provider 61 and the Internet service provider
61 is connected to an integrated user Web server 63. The user
Web server 63 is connected to a user machine control server 65.
The user machine control server 65 is provided with a database
67 . The database 67 memorizes fee setting tables corresponding
to each of machine numbers of plural machines which are the play
portions 1. This fee setting table always stores information
corresponding to increase/decrease of the game machines in the
database 67. Therefore, the database 67 can always possess
updated information data. The control portion 5 memorizes a
machine number of each game machine which is the play portion
1. Further, the mobile communication terminal 21 for use in
this embodiment needs to be connected to the Internet.

Before the player starts a game, he needs to make contract
with an Internet service provider 61. This contract is made
by notifying the Internet service provider 61 of a credit number
or the like of his credit card through the mobile communication
terminal 21. As a result, the Internet service provider 61
issues a provider ID and a password. This provider ID and
password are displayed on a display portion of the mobile
communication terminal 21 or the status indicating portion 23.
When he makes contract with the Internet service provider 61,
input of his identification nvunber or the like can be carried
out through the numeric pad 20 or the mobile communication
terminal 21.

If the player inserts the mobile communication terminal
21 into the connection port of holder 19 at the amusement place,
serial communication is carried out with the control portion

5 SO as to read a subscriber number. An Issued password Is
inputted by the mobile communication terminal 21. If this
password Is Inputted, a call Is made and at the same time, a
machine number Is read out from the control portion 5 and
transmitted to the mobile phone network 29 through the mobile
communication terminal 21.

The transmitted machine number Is transmitted to the
telephone network 31 , the Internet service provider 61 , the user
Web server 63 and the user machine control server 65. The user
machine control server 65 reads out a fee setting table
corresponding to the machine number, by the database 67. The
fee setting table read out by the user machine control server
65 Is transmitted to the Internet service provider 61 through
the user Web server 63.

When this transmission Is executed, the Internet service
provider 61 transmits an approval signal to the mobile
communication terminal 21 connected to the holder 19 through
the telephone network 31 and the mobile phone network 29. This
approval signal is Inputted to the control portion 5. If the
player presses the game start approval button 25 or 27, a signal
corresponding to a game frequency specified by this approval
button 25, 27 is transmitted to the Internet service provider
61 and a ticket according to the fee setting table is issued.
The game credit switch 35 is turned on like Fig. 2, so that the
game is output ted to the screen 11, thereby allowing the game
to be executed through the operation knob 13.

The Internet service provider 61 functions as an
accounting center so as to bill corresponding to the ticket
issued according to the fee setting table. The fee is collected
by Internet service provider 61 's sending a bill to a player
and an amount minus an agent fee and the like is paid to the

18

machine control user of the play portion 1. Therefore, the
player can enjoy a game easily without using any coin.

Although according to this embodiment, a fee of a single
game is specified and billing is made depending on a game
frequency executed, it is permissible to so construct that the
billing is made depending on use time of the play portion 1.
Further, it is permissible to so construct that newly published
information is transmitted when the password is inputted.

(Fourth embodiment)

Figs. 6, 7 show the fourth embodiment of the present
invention. According to this embodiment, billing is made
corresponding to operating time when a game software, word
processor software or spread sheet software, which belongs to
the Internet information, is operated through a personal
computer provided at an amusement place or the like.

Fig. 6 shows a case where this embodiment is applied to
a desktop personal computer 69 as an information terminal. The
desktop personal computer 69 is provided with a serial
communication port 71, to which a conversion adaptor 73 is
connected. This conversion adaptor 73 converts physical
connecting condition and logical connecting condition. The
mobile communication terminal 21 is connected to a connection
terminal 75 extended from this conversion adaptor 73.

Fig. 7 shows a case where this embodiment is applied to
a laptop computer 77 as an information terminal. This laptop
computer 77 is provided with a PCMCIA card 79 and the mobile
communication terminal 21 is connected to the connection
terminal 81.

In cases of Figs .6,7, any geune stored in the game machine
is not carried out unlike the above-described embodiments, but

19

a game software, word processor software, spread sheet software
or the like, which is the Internet information, is executed
through the desktop personal computer 69 or laptop computer 77.
Such a game may be played among some people through the Internet .
In this case, billing is made depending on use time or according
to a fee specified per hour, for example, 100 yen per hour and
the fee is collected.

If user operates the desktop personal computer 69 or
laptop computer 77, he needs to make contract with an Internet
service provider like the above -described embodiment. This
contract is made by notifying of a credit number or the like
of his credit card. Then, if his password is inputted through
the mobile communication terminal 21 or a keyboard of the
desktop personal computer 69 or the laptop computer 77, a call
is made according to a subscriber number read from the mobile
communication terminal 21. The computer is connected to the
accounting center of the Internet service provider by this call
so that an approval signal and an object program on the Internet
are sent to the computer. Consequently, user of the desktop
personal computer 69 or the laptop computer 77 can execute a
game, word processing or spread sheet processing by operating
the computer.

When this desktop personal computer 69 or the laptop
computer 77 is operated, communication of the mobile
communication terminal 21 is cut out temporarily. If the
operation of the desktop personal computer 69 or the laptop
computer 77 is terminated, the call is made again, so that time
count is made at the accounting center of the Internet service
provider to make a specified billing. The fee is collected by
Internet service provider's sending a bill to the user of the
desktop personal computer 69 or the laptop computer 77 and an

20

m m

V2

amount minus an agent fee and the like is paid to a controller
of the desktop personal computer 69 or the laptop computer 77.
Therefore , this embodiment also allows the Internet game or the
like to be enjoyed easily through the mobile communication
terminal 21 and a corresponding fee to be collected easily.

Although according to the above -described embodiment,
billing is made by counting use time of the information terminal ,
it is permissible to specify a fee of each of the game softwares ,
word processing softwares and spread sheet softwares and make
bill depending on use time of the corresponding information.

4«

1=* (Fifth embodiment)

w

Fig. 8 shows the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

p Although according to the above embodiments, communication is

made by connecting the mobile communication terminal directly

fy to each apparatus , this may be replaced with radio communication

fc! mentioned in this embodiment .

As shown in Fig. 8, a radio terminal unit 85 is connected
to a control portion 83 of each apparatus and a radio
communication unit 87 is accommodated in the mobile
communication terminal 21. This radio system belongs to weak
SS( split spectrum diffusion) radio, which has been prevailing
as Bluetooth.

If such a communication system is employed, inconvenience

of placing the mobile communication terminal 21 in the holder

19 of the play portion 1 or the like or connecting it to the

desktop personal computer 69 or the laptop computer 77 is

eliminated thereby making it possible to operate the game

machine or such computer software easily.

Although according to the above embodiment,

certification of user is carried out by inputting his password

21

or identification number, it is permissible to provide the
mobile communication terminal 21 with a finger print verifying
unit so as to certify the person by verifying his finger print.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The embodiments are therefore to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,
the scope of the present invention being indicated by the
appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and
all changes which come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced
therein .

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